Gone are the days when no one used to bother or talk about the Afghanistan cricket team. With years of hard work and determination, the side has made its way to the upper ranks and will be a strong contender to cement its spot in the semi-finals of the forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
They defeated England and Pakistan in the 2023 World Cup and reached the semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup, beating the likes of New Zealand and Australia along the way.
Afghanistan cricket has been on the rise, and if anything, it makes them one of the favorites to claim a semi-final spot despite being placed in a tough group.
Recent form:
This will be the very first time Afghanistan will be playing in the Champions Trophy, proving how far they have come.
In the build-up to the tournament, Afghanistan is in great form. Since the 2023 World Cup, they have won four out of their five bilateral series. These series victories include wins against South Africa and Bangladesh in the UAE.
Squad:
Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Malik, Naveed Zadran.
Reserves: Darwish Rasooli, Bilal Sami
Probable Playing XI:
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk)
- Rahmat Shah
- Hashmatullah Shahidi (c)
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Gulbadin Naib
- Mohammad Nabi
- Rashid Khan
- Noor Ahmad/Nangyal Kharoti
- Naveed Zadran
- Fazalhaq Farooqi
Key players:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Gurbaz has been the cornerstone of Afghanistan’s batting lineup. Since the 2023 World Cup, he has amassed 531 runs at an impressive average of 48.27. Recently, he scored a century against New Zealand in a warm-up game. Although it ended in a losing cause, it showcased his form, making his contributions vital.
Azmatullah Omarzai
Who else but Omarzai? The all-rounder, who was named the 2024 ICC Men’s ODI Player of the Year, has played a significant role in Afghanistan’s recent success.
He was instrumental in Afghanistan’s impressive performances in the 2023 Cricket World Cup, scoring 353 runs and picking up nine wickets.
With Naveen-ul-Haq absent, Omarzai will take on additional responsibilities in Afghanistan’s pace attack, further solidifying his role as a key member of the squad.
Since the 2023 World Cup, he has scored 417 runs at an average of 52.12 and has also taken 18 wickets.
Mohammad Nabi
The veteran all-rounder still has plenty to offer. His post-World Cup 2023 stats are remarkable, with 410 runs at an average of 41 and 10 wickets to his name.
Nabi was excellent in a recent series as well, scoring a match-winning knock of 84 runs against Bangladesh in 2024.
This could be his last ICC event, and he will undoubtedly aim to make it memorable.
Moreover, Rashid Khan and Fazalhaq Farooqi will also play crucial roles for Afghanistan. Khan has taken 15 wickets, while Farooqi has chipped in with 12 wickets since the 2023 World Cup.
Here is an interesting fact:
Since the 2023 World Cup, only three players have scored 400+ runs and taken 10+ wickets in ODIs:
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Mohammad Nabi
- Charith Asalanka
Players to watch out for:
- Nangyal Kharoti is an exciting emerging talent, having taken 11 wickets since the 2023 World Cup.
- Sediqullah Atal is another rising star, scoring 230 runs at an average of 46 since the World Cup.
Strengths:
- Strong spin attack
- Several quality all-rounders
- A settled top order featuring Gurbaz, Zadran, and Shahidi
Weaknesses:
- In the 2023 World Cup, Afghanistan’s middle order (Nos. 4-7) scored the least number of runs among all teams. However, with Omarzai emerging and Nabi in good form, this issue may be less of a concern.
- Death bowling is a major concern, as Afghanistan’s 8.56 economy rate in the final overs is the third-worst among Champions Trophy teams.
- Their batting in the death overs has also been problematic, with their lower order struggling to finish games. Their run rate of 6.80 in the last overs is the second worst among participating teams.
Fixtures:
Feb 21 – Afghanistan vs South Africa, Karachi
Feb 26 – Afghanistan vs England, Lahore
Feb 28 – Afghanistan vs Australia, Lahore
In conclusion, Afghanistan is a much stronger side now, and given that their matches will be played in Pakistan, the conditions will suit their spin attack. It would be unfair to not consider them favorites for a semi-final spot in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
